Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1887-05-18
VETERANS ON PARADE.
Army of the Cumberland Men at Wash
ington-The Garfield Statue Unveiled
Brilliant Military Display on the Ave-
nues-Chicago Chosen as the Place of
Meeting Next Year.

Ond day OF the reunion OF the Society OF
the Army of the Cumberland was per-
feet specimen of Washington spring
weather. The sky was cloudless,
the temperature delightful and
a light breeze temperated the suns
rays just enough to make an
ideal day for open air ceremonies. At
an early hour in the morning small de-
tachments of regular troops, militia and
other organizations that were to partici
pate in the parade, took possession of
the streets The music of brass bands
was heard in every quarter. AT noon the
executive departments were closed and
added their quota to the throngs on the
sidewalks. At a business meeting this
morning of the society, Col. Henry
Stone, of Boston, was selected as the or
ator, and Col. William McMichael, of
New York, as alternate, of the next re-
union. Chicago was selected as the next
place, and Chickamauga week in Septem-
Der, 1888, las the time, for holding the next
reunion. The present officers of the So
ciety were reelected for the coming
year as follows: President, Gen. P. i'll.
Sheridan; corresponding secretary, Gen.
Henry NJ. Cist; treasurer, Gen. j. S.
Fullerton; recording secretary, Gen.
John w. Steele, and vice-president
from each state represented in the So
ciety.
On grand stand near the statue seats
bad been arranged for l 900 persons. A
number ofthese were occupied at least an
hour before the procession arrived. The
grand stand was prOfusely draped with
bunting, and the speakers stand was
ornamented with graceful palms and
potted plants, while tattered battlefag
hung from its staff at either corner. A
pair of comfortable arm chairs placed in
the center of the stands were reserved
for the President and Mrs. Cleveland.
Places were also reserved for the
sculptor and other favored guests. The
large circle surrounding the monu-
ment was kept clear by the police
while the sidewalks were crowded with
spectators. Just before l O'Clock
the invited guests began to arrive.
James and Harry Garfield were escorted
to seats by Gen. Mussey, while Col. Will
son performed a similar office for the
aged w. w. Corcoran. The usual Thurs
day cabinet me citing was adjourned at
an early hour in order to enable the
President and his advisers to attend the
unwilling ceremonies. Secretary Bay
ard and Acknowledgement Garland were
among the early arrivals and were seated
to the left of Mrs. Cleveland. The men,
bers of the supreme court of the United
States came in body, excepting JUS
tees Wood and Harlan, and were seated
in the first row ON the left of the speak
er's stand. The district judiciary, mem
bers of the court of claims and district
commissioners were also present. Rep
resentatives of the diplomatic corps
were placed on the right of the stand.
At o'clock Gems. Sherman, Sheridan
and Rosecrans and Gov. Curtin arrived
in carriage just after the head of the
procession made its appearance. They
were soon followed by President Cleve-
land, escorted by Gen. Anderson and
Secretary and Mrs. Fairchild, Col and
Mrs. Lamont, Postmaster-GeneralV Villas
and Secretary Lamar. Mrs Cleveland
came accompanied by Mrs. Folsom, Miss
o'clock, and took her seat beside the
Presidents chair. Ex-Secretary Win
dom and ex-Attorney-General Mac
Veagh, of President Garfeld's cabinet,
were among the guests present.
THE UNWILLING.
LILO O'Clock Marshal Wilson, taking
his place on the stand said: Attention,
Ladies and Gentlemen: The society of
the Army Of the Cumberland with these
distinguished guests, are assembled here
to-day for the purpose of unwilling the
statue of that eminent statesman and sol
der, James A. Garfield. The exercises
will be opened with prayer by the Rev.
DR.. Giesy."
In his prayer, the clergyman referred
in glowing language to the merits Of the
illustrlous statesman to whom the statue
was erected. The Marine Band surround
ingthe monument struck up ''Hail to the
Chief" and amid the clapping of hands
the American flag enveloping the statue
was dropped and the great bronze
image stood exposed to the rays of
the midday sun. There was a short
lull in the proceedings while a
battery of artillery fired a national
salute. Gen. Sheridan then introduced
the orator ofthe day Gen. Warren Keifer,
who, on the part of the monument
committee, delivered an address trans
ferring the statue to Gen. Sheridan. At
its conclusion, Gen. Sheridan, in behalf
of the society, transferred the statue to
the President in the following WORDS:
Mr.. PREsIDENT-This statue which has
been unveiled in your presence to-day
was erected by the comrades of Gen.
Garfield belonging to the Army of the
Cumberland. They recognized his merit
as soldier and they wished to pay
some testimony to that merit and to his
worth as a man. I have the honor, sir,
on behalf of the Society of the Army of
the Cumberland to ask you as the repre-
sentative of the American people to &C
cept the statue from their hands as it
was given to me-" Applause.
During the delivery Of his address,
the President was frequently interrupt
ed by outbursts of applause. He spoke
fuently in a clear voice, which was aud
ible to most of the vast crowd that
filled the circle before the stand. When
he had concluded the band played
"Hail Columbia" and Rev. F. D. Power,
who was the pastor of Gen. Garfeld's
church in this city, pronounced the
benediction. The troops were then
dismissed, and the ceremonies came to
an end.
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